Boxing's 'grand master' Mayweather will play 'game of chess' with 'fighter' Pacquiao, says Amir Khan

British boxer Amir Khan is of the view that Philippines pugilist Manny Pacquiao could find himself checkmated by American rival Floyd Mayweather when they face each other in Las Vegas on May 2.

According to The Mirror, Khan believes that Mayweather Junior will try to turn next Sunday's 300-million-pound-plus mega-fight with Pacquiao into a game of chess.

Mayweather's WBA and WBC welterweight belts and Pacquiao's WBO version are all on the line in the run-up to that bout.

Mayweather, 38, rated the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is a five-weight world champion, and is yet to taste defeat in 47 fights, with 26 knockouts.

Pacquiao, 36, has held world titles in seven divisions, but has lost five and drawn two of his 64 fights.

Khan said Mayweather has always been known to make his opponents fall short by his smart and constant movement around the ring, and believes this could tire an offensive Manny Pacquiao.

He said that both boxers would on equal terms for four or five rounds, before Mayweather would start pulling away, creating the distance and finishing off with a win.

Khan said that Floyd was a better boxer and a boxer will always beat a fighter.